Pennsylvania’s commitment to the preservation of its prized natural resources is exhibited by its many environmentally-friendly facilities and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature.

Featured Trip Ideas

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The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park

A 2,800-gallon rainwater harvesting system is just one of the environmentally friendly features at The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard.

Get inspired at these earth-friendly attractions, including many buildings with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) – a coveted benchmark in green building.

In-room energy monitors, a 2,800-gallon rainwater harvesting system, and solar-thermal hot water system make this bed and breakfast a model of environmental stewardship. The inn is also an acclaimed interpretive center for birding and offers many resources to help guests spot the park’s winged beauties, including field guides, a bird-tracker kiosk, and Children’s Discovery Area.

Taste super-smooth vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and bourbon at Big Spring Spirits’ tasting room in Bellefonte, the first LEED®-certified distillery in the country. The spirits maker uses water from the local Big Spring and follows a grain-to-grass philosophy by only using ingredients grown by local farmers.

Cheer on the Pittsburgh Penguins at the first NHL arena to receive a LEED® Gold certification. Constructed primarily from locally sourced and recycled materials, the center has a large glass atrium for natural light and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.

Three solar greenhouses at this sustainable farm facilitate the growth of vegetables throughout the winter – so fresh produce is available year-round. Located in northeast Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains, the farm also uses crop rotation and follows organic practices to support healthy soil.

The location and layout of this LEED® Gold-certified wildlife center were chosen to minimize impact on the surrounding ecosystem, the roaming grounds of the largest wild elk herd in the northeastern U.S. Other green features of the center include solar-oriented windows for natural warmth and lighting and a renewable geothermal heating and cooling system.

Water conservation initiatives, sensors to monitor and control energy use, and recycled plastic seats are just a few environmentally friendly features of Medlar Field, home to the Nittany Lions Baseball and Softball and State College Spikes. The field became the first baseball stadium in the U.S. to achieve LEED® certification in 2007.

Other Places to Connect with Pennsylvania’s Natural Landscape

Find out how Pennsylvania farmers are using sustainable practices to produce organic fruits and veggies, meats, and dairy products at more than 30 farms in Butler County.

Learn the natural process behind honey production by watching the bees at Draper’s Super Bee Apiaries in Millerton, where free tours uncover how bees impact ecological balance and how honey is collected.